How to Cite Multiple Authors in APA References
Citing multiple authors in APA (American Psychological Association) style can sometimes be confusing, especially when dealing with a large number of contributors. However, following a few simple guidelines can help ensure that your references are accurate and consistent. In this article, we will discuss the proper format for citing multiple authors in APA style.
Formatting Multiple Authors in APA References
When citing multiple authors in APA style, the basic format is as follows:
Author(s). (Year). Title of the work. Publisher.
For two authors, simply list both names in the order they appear on the source. For example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal communities. Oceanography Press.
For three to five authors, include all names in the order they appear on the source. For example:
Brown, A., Davis, B., Green, C., & White, D. (2019). The role of technology in education. Education Publishers.
When there are more than five authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the year of publication. For example:
Garcia, H., et al. (2018). The effects of social media on mental health. Psychology Publishers.
Order of Authors
The order of authors in APA references is typically based on the order they appear on the source. However, if you need to rearrange the order for a specific reason, you can do so. Just make sure to maintain the same order for all references in your document.
Formatting In-text Citations
When citing multiple authors in your text, follow these guidelines:
– For two authors, use both names in the parentheses, separated by an ampersand (&).
– For three to five authors, use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”
– For more than five authors, use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”
For example:
Smith & Johnson (2020) found that…
Brown, Davis, Green, & White (2019) argued that…
Garcia et al. (2018) concluded that…
Additional Tips
– When citing a source with multiple editions, include the edition number in parentheses after the year of publication.
– If a source has a subtitle, include it after the title but before the publisher.
– For online sources, include the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) in parentheses after the publisher.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your APA references for multiple authors are accurate and consistent. Remember to always check the latest APA publication manual for any updates or changes to the formatting guidelines.
